5. Shigella
Shigella is a group of germs or bacteria that causes diarrhea and is very contagious; exposure to even a tiny amount of contaminated fecal matter — too small to see — can cause infection.
Transmission of Shigella happens when people put something in their mouths or swallow something that has come into contact with some feces of an infected person. This happens when contaminated hands touch your food or your mouth, eating food contaminated with Shigella, swallowing recreational (lake or river water when swimming) or drinking water that was contaminated by infected fecal matter, or exposure to feces through sexual contact.
Symptoms include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, abdominal pain, and Tenesmus (a painful sensation of needing to go to the bathroom even when bowels are empty). Complications from Shigella infections include post-infectious arthritis, blood stream infections, seizures, and HUS or Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (bloody diarrhea). People with mild Shigella may only need fluids and rest, but for those with a more severe case, antibiotics are used.
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